Chapter Text
The room hadn’t seen natural light in quite some time.
Illuminated by only the bluish glow of the TV, he sat alone, clicking buttons manically.
“C’mon, c’mon…” he growled at the game. “Quit giving me health boosts already. Gimme a power up!”
He fired off a crescendo of shoulder button attacks, and the zombies dissolved away into nothing. “Gahah. That’ll teach ‘em.”
“Why don’t you use the big gun?” A little voice squeaked from his right.
“Because I don’t have the big gun.” He deadpanned, barely even breaking his gaze. His eyes were lidded and bloodshot, and his paws were starting to blister. But who else was going to save the town from zombies?
“But don’t you get the big gun by beating Sir Fugufugu?” The little voice chimed in once again.
Kabuki had to pause the game. Who was he even talking to? Had he gone that long that he was just inventing conversation? And then arguing with it?
That wasn’t a good sign.
An unseasonal wind rattled at the windows as he rubbed his eyes. For sitting there next to him with her enormous eyes and favourite blue shirt, was his neighbour Daisy.
“…yeah, I need a break.” He grunted, and dropped the controller. Stretching forgotten muscles back into shape, he staggered out of the sitting room and into the kitchen. Maybe a snack would fix it.
“We haven’t hung out in ages, Kabuuu!” Daisy danced after him, her eyes lighting up as the cat negotiated a packet of noodles. “I never see you anymore! Did I make you mad?”
Kabuki rolled his eyes, and dumped the packet’s contents into a bowl. A swirl of steaming hot water was added, followed by an egg and a mushroom.
“Ew, icky mushroom…” Daisy frowned. “A-are we sharing this, Kabu?”
“Er…” Kabuki just stared at the mixture in his bowl, floating lazily. He left Daisy’s question where it was and carried the bowl to the table.
“Kabuuu…!” Daisy sighed. “You’re not very good at talking today. Is something wrong?”
“You could say that.” Kabuki met her gaze for all of a moment. He swept aside a bunch of food wrappers and sat down. “Thank you for the food.”
“B-but you used to talk so much more?” Daisy shuffled up to him. “Where’d big talky Kabuki go?”
Kabuki blinked. She was obviously back here to punish him for something.
“Kabuuuu~” her sing-song voice was infectious. “Nurse Daisy says you’re not feeling well. But that’s okay, because she has the perfect cure. A hug!”
The little dog stretched out her arms and readied herself. At the same time however, the doorbell rang.
Kabuki burst from his seat and left Daisy clutching at air. Followed by the chair.
“Oweee…” Daisy mumbled in the background as Kabuki approached his door, showing energy for the first time today.
“Who is it, Kabu?” Daisy once again appeared by his side. Kabuki made a quick confirmation through the peephole before unlocking the door’s many bolts and locks.
“…hey.”
His single word greeting was stiff, but it might as well have been a welcome wagon, in contrast to the tacit bag of groceries that was simply thrust at him.
“U-um… thanks,” Kabuki offered a feeble half-smile and shuffled to one side. “Did you wanna-”
“Dre-Dre!” Daisy charged, launching herself at the little grey deer.
“Ung?! What the?!” Deirdre gasped, staggering backwards at the weight of Daisy swinging about her chest.
“You didn’t…?” Kabuki started, his eyes widening.
“She can’t… see me Kabu?” Daisy quivered, and let go of Deirdre.
“DIdn’t what?” Deirdre raised an eyebrow. “A-anyway!” She tugged at the bow-tie of her dress. “Y-you should… come outside more. People are worried.”
She stole one last furtive glance at him and dashed away down the path before he could make his response.
“Ugh.” Kabuki sighed. So everyone knew.
“Ooh, outside! Outside sounds fun!” Daisy trilled. “C’mon Kabu! Let’s go outside! We can play hide and-”
But the door closed with a crunch, and Daisy’s hopes succumbed to the darkness once again.
“Aww…” Daisy went unheard as Kabuki stomped back into the hallway and sorted through the bag of groceries. Some vegetables… ham, ham was good. Bacon too. Can’t live without bacon. Lots of water…
And sleeping pills?
“She’s overthinking.” Kabuki sighed, and left the pills on the kitchen countertop.
“C’mon Kabu, let’s go outside. Please?” Daisy smiled up at him. “Just for a little while? It’ll do you good.”
“There’s nothing fun outside anymore.” Kabuki dumped the last of the groceries into the fridge and returned to his tepid noodles.
“Aw, that’s not true…” Daisy shuffled her feet. “Isn’t the Bug-Off today? You always liked that?”
“’Liked’.” Kabuki deadpanned, and snared a dose of noodles between two chopsticks.
“W-well maybe not that then…” Daisy looked away. “But you need to get out of this house, Kabu! It’ll drive you crazy!”
“You don’t know the half of it.” Kabuki rolled his eyes.
“…ooh, I know!” Daisy cried. “Kabu! Did you want to come over to-”
“-no.”
And the smile vanished from Daisy’s face. “…oh.”
“I see you here, and that’s okay.” Kabuki groaned. “Heck, I even like that you’re here. But you ask me to go somewhere I can’t… and that’s annoying. So please…”
Kabuki sighed to himself, and carried on eating his noodles in peace.